Finger Fractures
A phalangeal fracture of the hand is a broken finger. (A phalangeal fracture of the foot would be a broken toe.)
Finger fractures are very common. They may occur from crush injuries, “jamming” injuries, direct blows, twisting
injuries, etc.
An injury to a finger resulting in pain and tenderness at one or more of the phalanges raises suspicion for a fracture.
There may also be swelling or deformity at the fracture site. X-rays should be obtained to investigate for fractures
or dislocations. Once the fracture has been identified, a treatment plan is formulated.
Treatment depends on several factors:
Location
Which bone is broken? It is important to identify which finger bone is broken. The fingers are numbered 1 to 5.
Each of the fingers has three bones, except for the thumb which has two. They are known as the proximal, middle,
and distal phalanges. (Proximal is closer to the body and distal is farther away from the body.)
What part of the bone is broken? It may be the head, shaft, or base.
Displacement and Alignment
Is there just a crack through the bone? Or have the fragments been pulled apart? Is the bone straight? Or is there
angulation? Is there any rotational deformity to the finger?
Comminution
Is there a simple, clean break? Or has the bone broken into several pieces?
Open or Closed
Open fractures are associated with a laceration or puncture wound (once called compound fractures). Closed
fractures are not associated with a break in the skin.
Joint Involvement
Is the fracture intra-articular? (Does the crack go into the joint?) How much of the articular (joint) surface is
involved?